Graphic photos: sheep kill causes losses to the tune of €10,000

A sheep kill which occurred last weekend in Moneygall on the Offaly/Tipperary border has resulted in the death of 50 lambs along with financial loss of €10,000.

The owner of the sheep, John Healy, described the attack which took place on his farm on Saturday as something he or his sons "will never forget".

"I'm not squeamish but I never saw anything like it. It was absolutely horrific, just dead lamb after dead lamb, pure carnage," he told the Irish Farmers Journal.

It is believed that two black dogs were involved in the attack that killed the 50 sheep who were amongst a group of 120.

The Moneygall farmer who is also a butcher was alerted to the attack when his mother, who lives in Moneygall village, had lambs in her back yard. He believes that they were driven down to the village out of pure fear.

"Cathal, my son, saw the dogs. He said they were two big, well-looked after dogs. Himself and my other son Robert went to see what happened as I wasn't at home. As they were going up the lane there was just dead lamb after dead lamb," he said.

Remaining sheep

The remaining 70 sheep, Healy said, are terrified following the attack and won’t even come to the trough for meal.

"They're absolutely terrified since and I don't know what way they will turn out. I heard a vet say that they could actually die yet.

“The financial impact of this is colossal for me. At the moment I can easily say there’s a loss of €10,000. All my sheep have to come in off the farm and that’s extra costs with bedding and feed.

Neighbour

Healy's neighbour also had to bring in all his sheep out of fear of another attack.

"He's lambing in January and he's absolutely terrified about letting them out again for lambing," he said.

Pleading

By spreading the word, Healy said he hopes whomever owns the dogs realise the damage caused and puts them down.

"I'm pleading with whoever to just put them down because they will kill again," he said.

"We've had sheep kills on and off like most sheep farmers have but nothing to this scale. These dogs just went into kill for the craic.

"People don't understand the devastation they can cause," he said.

This, Healy said, is what dogs do but urged dog owners to be more vigilant and not to let them get out on their own.

Further information on what to do if you discover a dog attacking your sheep